BACOOR, Cavite –CALABARZON productsand innovations, particularly on coffee and banana, got the spotlight in the recent twin events organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Southern Tagalog Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research, Development and Extension Consortium (STAARRDEC) at the Bacoor Government Center in Cavite.
Dubbed STAARRDEC Fiesta & RSRDEH 2016: Showcasing the Region’s Products and Innovations the five-day long celebration highlights two major events: pushing the farmer and industry encounter agenda through science and technology and strengthening of the regional symposium on research development and extension highlights (RSRDEH). The focus of different forums and the exhibits are two prime commodities of the CALABARZON and MIMAROPA regions which are coffee and banana.
This event is envisioned to promote more interaction among researchers both from the academe and government institutions like the DOST-PCAARRD, extension workers, local government units, and technology users like investors, farmers, fisherfolks, and entrepreneurs.
PCAARRD is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and is a member of the STAARRDEC, a group of organizations that promotes and advocates development initiatives in fields of agriculture, aquatic and natural resources.
The other activities include product and technology exhibits, presentation of research papers, business forum and franchising, cooking contest, coffee and banana quiz bee, and photo and poster making contests.
DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director Dr. Edwin C. Villar, representing both Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, bannered the different research projects and practical technologies developed by the agency on somatic embryogenesis technology for coffee and banana tissue culture planting material and the lakatanbanana variety which is resistant to banana bunchy top virus.
“The government’s thrust is to increase the number of researchers in agriculture and aquatic resources and attract more young people to take up courses in these areas,” Dr. Villar said.
Dr.Villar revealed that the marching order for DOST-PCAARRD is to roll out more technologies up to 2022 with a target increase in the budget of P440 billion.
Other special guests during the opening ceremonies included Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla; Vincent Bae representing Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla; Dr. Hernando D. Robles, president of Cavite State University; Dr. Milo O. Placino, president of Southern Luzon State University; and Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, vice chairperson of STAARRDEC. (Rodolfo P. de Guzman, S&T Media Service)
